Our People Archives - Page 27 of 37

Our Bloke – Steve Grallelis

August 10, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Steve Grallelis

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? We came here five and a half years ago to be closer to family. The people are welcoming, and it has been easy to get involved in community groups.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I work with Forestry Corporation NSW, based at Forbes. I enjoy the staff, the variety, and the chance to see the countryside as I travel around.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends? I’m a golf tragic, and spend a lot of time at the golf course. I also have a large, neglected garden in which I spend time in the afternoons.

What are you really good at? Finding humour in most situations. Laughter can dispel tension in difficult moments, and then we can look for resolutions.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? To wave a wand and immediately undo the harsh words, accidents, and so on, that can change lives in a moment.

What is your pet hate? My wife says there are many. Perhaps it’s people who dither about what they say. Just say it and get on with it.

Our Gal – Amy Townsend

August 3, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Amy Townsend

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Forbes for 3 and a half years. I like that everyone here is so community minded and friendly. I have only lived here for a short time but I really do feel like a local.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I am the manager of Anytime Fitness and I love the fact that every single day I get to help people accomplish their goals.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends? After work I like to have a nice dinner with my boyfriend, and on weekends I love to play football.

What are you really good at? I am really good at organising, which I put into practise in not only my work but the Forbes Magpies as the club secretary.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? It would be to have super speed.

What is your pet hate? Where do I start?

What was your best holiday ever? We went on a family holiday to Darwin, to visit my cousin who was there for his first army posting.

Our Bloke – Bill Dolle

July 27, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Bill Dolle

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I went to school in Forbes and left when I was about 18 but came back in 1974. Other than a short six month stint in Brisbane I’ve lived here ever since. What I enjoy most is being able to get involved in community organisations and be appreciated.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? I am retired and have been for about seven years but am still very active with volunteer work which is most rewarding.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends? Go caravanning.

What are you really good at? Nothing in particular.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? To be able to read people’s minds.

What is your pet hate? People not parking at 45 degrees and other driving faults – like talking on the phone while driving.

What was your best holiday ever? A four-month caravanning trip in 2013 of the top end of Australia, although a week around Tasmania one year was pretty good as well.

Our Gal – Ro Burns

July 20, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Ro Burns

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here? I grew up here, left for 20 years, and returned 12 years ago. I love the sense of community and it’s a great place to raise our children.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work? My husband, Brady, and I have ZAP Pest Services. I also work at being an Artist, and freelance for Arts Out West, which often sees me at Jemalong Retirement Village doing art appreciation and workshops.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends? Hanging out with my family.

What are you really good at? I love working with community. I’ve been involved for 7 years with the River Arts Festival, which aims to connect and strengthen our town by celebrating country creativity.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? To twitch my nose like Bewitched and have the housework done!

What is your pet hate? Racist or Xenophobic jokes.

What was your best holiday ever? I went to Tibet and China a couple of months ago. Tibet is breathtaking!

Our Bloke

July 13, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Marc Churchill

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I’ve lived in Forbes for almost a year, and like the people here and the working opportunities.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at Turners Furniture One, and am completing a traineeship for Certificate III in retail. I enjoy meeting people and helping custom- ers with their furniture choices.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends? When I get home from work I relax and play a couple of games of pool with my Mum. On weekends, I enjoy working on cars with family and friends.

What are you really good at? I’m a competitive Muay Thai Kick Boxer. I’m also good at online video games.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? Probably shape shifting.

What is your pet hate? People who post absolutely everything on social media.

What was your best holiday ever?
Camping at Nelligen as it was with all my friends and family. Sometime soon I’ll visit all the theme parks at Queensland.

Our Gal

July 6, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Veva MacCullagh

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I’ve lived in Forbes since I was a toddler and have enjoyed a good life among good friends and a supportive family.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I’m retired and love volunteering at Jemalong Residential Village, teaching Tai Chi and helping with Friday’s Happy Hour. I’m on the Forbes Riding for the Disabled (RDA) committee, and organise the roster and volunteers. I am on oxygen 24/7 but I help as best I can.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I love country music musters and festivals and go when I’m able. Along with volunteering, I play croquet twice a week and attend Tai Chi at the Hospital with Master Trainer Libby Godden. I guess I’m a people person and love to help. I crochet to relax.

What are you really good at?
I’m good at keeping busy. I don’t have time to be bored in retirement.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I would get more retired people out to participate and enjoy life in the great outdoors, perhaps volunteering at RDA, or having a friendly game of croquet.

What is your pet hate?
It’s not being able to do what I once could, but now I have my oxygen sorted I’m thankful I’m not housebound.

What was your best holiday ever?
My best holiday was travelling Australia in our caravan seeing all the wonders Australia offers.

Our Bloke

June 29, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Peter Bright

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
Elaine and I moved to Forbes from Canberra in 2005 and haven’t had a dull moment since. We especially love the locals who have welcomed us.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I’m heav- ily involved with the Lions Club and CWA. Managing the Lions Club disaster response team and helping over 50 local farmers during the recent floods was incredibly rewarding.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I enjoy watching Elaine master her latest crafty project; caravanning; and helping friends with their computer and “Smart” phone problems.

What are you really good at?
I’m a bit of a nerd. These days, mastering new versions of whatever Microsoft, Apple, or Android has thrust upon us is a suitable challenge.

What was your best holiday ever?
Elaine and I once took a job on a half a million acre cattle station in the Kimberley region during the wet season. We enjoyed a lot of new experiences and hard work while looking after around 15,000 head of cattle.

Our Gal

June 22, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Kelly Bowden

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I grew up in Forbes, but I’m originally from Condo. We moved away to Griffith for a few years and been back here in Forbes for about eight years. I love living in Forbes because it’s home, it’s a nice little town.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at Binaal Billa Family Violence Prevention Legal Service and I’m a Community Support Worker. In my line of work, it has its ups and downs, it can be challenging, stressful and also rewarding.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
When I come home from work I don’t get the chance to unwind until later, then I’ll get ready for Home & Away, or my daughter will put a movie on and we’ll watch it together. I love spending time with my family and friends, doing something or just chillin’.

What are you really good at?
I’m deadly at a lot of things! Nah, I’m good at art, dancing and just being my deadly self.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
A healing power. So I can help people to heal within themselves from pain and trauma.

What is your pet hate?
I hate it when someone is eating with their mouth open, that just really annoys me.

What was your best holiday ever?
A few years back we went on our first real holiday up to Gerroa and we had the deadliest time. We really do live in a beautiful country.

Our Bloke

June 15, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Ian Bartholomaeus

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
Originally from Adelaide, I moved to Forbes in 1980. Being the “Centre of the Universe” why would you bother to live anywhere else? Great people and there’s not much we go without in this great community. Life is what you desire wherever you choose to live.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I’m the Managing Director of Midpro Engineering. I love my place in the business doing engineering designing and 3D solid modelling using Solidworks (CAD) as well as general business affairs, which select few really get to experience.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I love to cook, which is quite dissimilar to my occupation, and also it takes a lot of beer and wine to put together a masterchef creation! It winds me down after a long hard-working week.

What are you really good at?
Everyone would probably say annoying people but I reckon I’m just good at being happy.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
First thing I thought of is mind reading, but I think mystery is sometimes intriguing so I’d have to say being invisible.

What is your pet hate?
People doing 50 in a 100 zone, and that equates to anything in life.

What was your best holiday ever?
I’ve forgotten what a holiday feels like, but I love the coast and one of my favourite locations would have to be Noosa.

Our Gal

June 8, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Maree Yapp

How long have you lived in Forbes and what do you like about living here?
I have lived in Forbes most of my life and love the country life, wide open spaces and friendly people.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work at the SaCC – a Schools as Community Centres at Forbes North. I get to do fun things like playgroups, mums groups, Birth to Kinder, real food tasting (for little people), and at the moment I am loving our FoodREDi course because the mums are awesome cooks!

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I enjoy a good stomp on the treadmill at the gym to unwind and spend my weekends following my kids at sport and music.

What are you really good at?
I’m really good at “having a go” because I am not really good at anything.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Sometimes I would like to be at two places at once, that would be super!

What is your pet hate?
I hate to see waste, food, clothes, anything that can be re-used.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
Beach front holiday house at Kiama with nowhere to be, with a good book, wine and my hubby looking after the kids.

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